Hispanic/Latin American Heritage Month Race and society

Empathy begins with awareness, knowledge, and understanding. Our librarians selected these resources to illuminate history so we can work toward equity.

From September 15–October 15, we share and celebrate the history, heritage, and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latin American people from past and present. Check out the race and society subject guide for videos, podcasts, articles, and recommended reading to learn more and celebrate!

Recommend reading and more

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Aloha rodeo

 David Wolman
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Fiona and Jane

 Jean Chen Ho
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Homicide and halo-halo

 Mia P. Manansala
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Jade City

 Fonda Lee
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Memorial

 Bryan Washington

Watch

View these documentaries and videos to explore various histories and social issues.

We Are Not a Stereotype

Learn what it means to be Asian Pacific American and the impact of stereotypes in media, culture, and individual lives.

Inhuman Figures

Inhuman Figures reveals imagined futures produced from a long history of treating Asian Americans as tireless workers, indistinguishable copies, and forever foreigners.

Uncovering the Tulsa Race Massacre

One-hundred years ago in Tulsa, Oklahoma, one of the worst racial massacres in the history of United States occurred.

Oregon's Japanese Americans

Oregon Public Broadcasting bring us the history of how Pearl Harbor changed everything for the Japanese living in Oregon and the West Coast.

Explore

Explore articles and webpages about the immigrant experience, Native American history in the U.S., and more.

PBS: American Experience

Explore different stories celebrating and honoring the history and lives of Native Americans — throughout history and today.

Art and Activism

Learn about writer, poet, and activist Dr. Maya Angelou. This year Angelou also becomes the first named Black woman to be featured on U.S. money.

Asian American Milestones: Timeline

The first major wave of Asian immigrants arrived at American shores in the mid-1800s and Asian Americans have since played a key role in U.S. history.

Zoot Suit Riots

The History Channel explores how the bias of Angelenos, military servicemen and the media flared into the infamous Los Angeles “Zoot Suit Riots.”

Listen

Listen to podcasts on topics from different cultural perspectives, discussions on politics from different points of view, and stories from across the country.

Code Switch

Code Switch explores how race affects every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, food and everything in between.

Kuper Island

An 8-part series that tells the stories of four First Nation students: three who survived and one who didn't. They attended one of Canada's most notorious residential schools.

American Coyote

Between 1987 and 2001, one American crossed over 1,000 migrants from Mexico into the US, using wild, comical, and harrowing schemes to outwit authorities on both sides.

Order 9066

Order 9066 chronicles the history of this Japanese internment camp incarceration through vivid, first-person accounts of those who lived through it.

Artists and museums

Smithsonian: ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States
This Smithsonian exhibit tells U.S. history from the perspectives of the diverse Latinas and Latinos who lived it and live it today.
Spotlight on Latinx Illustrators
Learn more about a collection of Latinx creators and how they connect with readers through their work.
Nicole Niedhardt— ARTIST HIGHLIGHT
Nicole Niedhardt’s Diné (Navajo) identity is the heart of her artistic practice which encompasses Indigenous Futurisms, Diné Storytelling, and illustration.

Art and activities

online Lotería
Lotería is a traditional game of chance, similar to bingo, but using images on a deck of cards instead of numbered ping pong balls.
Alebrijes Coloring sheets
Learn about and color fantastical Alebrijes (whimsical creatures or spirit animals) and animals native to Mexico.

OLA Statement Against Anti-Asian Violence

The Oregon Library Association condemns anti-Asian hate crimes and strongly supports the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) Statement Against Anti-Asian Violence.

Read OLA's statement